Electricity Flashcards

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1
Q

What makes an object electrically neutral?

A

Matter is made up of atoms with equal amounts of negative and positive charges, making the object neutral.

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2
Q

How is static electricity created?

A

Static electricity is created when electrons build up on an object.

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3
Q

What happens when certain objects are rubbed together?

A

Electrons jump from one object to another. The object that gains electrons acquires a negative charge, while the other object acquires a positive charge.

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4
Q

Why do you get a shock after walking on a carpet and touching a metal object?

A

The metal discharges the static charge built up in your body, causing a shock.

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5
Q

Why does your hair stand on end when a balloon is rubbed on it?

A

Rubbing the balloon transfers electrons, causing your hair to repel due to the same charge.

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6
Q

What happens when objects have the same charge?

A

Objects with the same charge repel each other.

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7
Q

What causes lightning?

A

Lightning is caused by a huge buildup of static negative charge in clouds, which discharges through metal rods into the ground.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of the Van de Graff generator?

A

The Van de Graff generator accumulates large static charge for experiments, causing effects like hair standing on end.

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9
Q

How does static charge discharge?

A

Static charges discharge quickly when electrons return to their original positions.

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10
Q

What is dynamic electricity?

A

Dynamic electricity is a continuous flow of electrons through a wire.

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11
Q

What materials are good conductors and insulators of electricity?

A

Metals and graphite are good conductors, while wood and plastic are insulators.

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12
Q

What is the difference between an open and closed circuit?

A

An open circuit has a break in the flow of current (off), while a closed circuit allows current to flow (on).

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13
Q

What is the key difference between series and parallel circuits?

A

In a series circuit, current is the same through all components but voltage is divided. In a parallel circuit, voltage remains the same, but current is divided.

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14
Q

Why do bulbs glow dimly in a series circuit when more bulbs are added?

A

The voltage is divided among the bulbs, reducing the brightness.

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15
Q

Why do bulbs in a parallel circuit continue to work when one bulb breaks?

A

In a parallel circuit, other parts of the circuit remain closed, allowing the remaining bulbs to work.

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16
Q

How is voltage measured, and what is the unit?

A

Voltage is measured with a voltmeter in volts (V), which is connected in parallel across a resistance.

17
Q

How is current measured, and what is the unit?

A

Current is measured with an ammeter in amperes (A), which is connected in series in the circuit.

18
Q

What is the direction of conventional current?

A
19
Q

What is the difference between AC and DC current?

A

AC current changes direction periodically, while DC current flows in one direction.

20
Q

How does resistance affect the flow of electricity?

A

Resistance reduces the flow of electricity and is affected by wire thickness, material, temperature, and components.

21
Q

What is Ohm’s Law?

A

Ohm’s Law states that V = IR (Voltage = Current x Resistance).

22
Q

How does increasing voltage affect current according to Ohm’s Law?

A

Increasing voltage increases current.

23
Q

How does increasing resistance affect current according to Ohm’s Law?

A

Increasing resistance decreases current.

24
Q

How does current affect resistance according to Ohm’s Law?

A

Increasing current decreases resistance.

25
Q

What energy conversions happen in common electrical devices?

A

Heating coil: electrical to heat; globe: electrical to light; motor: electrical to mechanical; loudspeaker: electrical to sound.

26
Q

How does a loudspeaker produce sound?

A

An electrical field corresponding to sound creates a magnetic field, causing vibrations that produce sound.

27
Q

What does the law of conservation of energy state?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

28
Q

How does a generator produce electricity?

A

A generator turns a coil inside a magnetic field to generate electricity.

29
Q

What happens when current flows through a wire inside a magnetic field?

A

It creates a magnetic field around the wire.

30
Q

What is electromagnetic radiation?

A

Electromagnetic radiation spans from high-frequency gamma rays to low-frequency radio waves, including UV, infrared, and visible light.

31
Q

How do electromagnetic waves travel through space?

A

Electromagnetic waves, such as those from the Sun, can travel across the vacuum of space.